The United Democratic Front (UDF) was a major anti-apartheid organisations of the 1980s. The non-racial coalition of about 400 civic, church, students', workers' and other organisations was formed in 1983, initially to fight the new Tricameral Parliament. The UDF's goal was to establish a "non-racial, united South Africa in which segregation is abolished and in which society is freed from institutional and systematic racism."[1] Its slogan was "UDF Unites, Apartheid Divides."

Involvement in trade unions, beginning in Durban in 1973, helped create a strong, democratic political culture for black people in South Africa.[2] Mass urban protest could also be traced to the student upsurge in Soweto in 1976.[3]

1982 brought the effects of a world economic crisis to South Africa, and the price of gold fell in 1985.[3] The result of these things and other economic problems caused mass unemployment, especially for young black South Africans.[3]

The apartheid state wrote a new constitution in 1983 "in an attempt to allay criticism against apartheid and to set a new course."[4] The new form of government created a Tricameral Parliament which allowed Coloured (mixed-race) and Asian South Africans "nominal representation."[5] Black people were still not allowed to participate in the government.[4][5]

During a demonstration in Langa in 1984, police shot the participants which led to further insurrection.[6] This led to a "black youth uprising" by 1985 in South Africa.[6]

The plans for a new political organisation were introduced by Rev. Allan Boesak at a conference of the Transvaal Anti-South African Indian Council Committee (TASC) on 23 January 1983.[7] The part of his speech calling for a "united front" of "churches, civic associations, trade unions, student organizations, and sports bodies" was unplanned, but well received.[8] He also called for black people to have full participation in the government.[9]

The UDF then formed regional committees, which established relationships with local organizations. The Natal UDF was launched first, in May, and then the Transvaal region (in June) and the Cape Province (July).[10] Representatives of the regions formed the Interim National Committee, which also included outside activists.

At the end of July, the committee held a two-day meeting where they discussed a national launch date. Although most delegates wanted time to organise the regions before the national launch, they decided the best date was 20 August, the day the government planned to introduce the Tricameral Constitution. UDF sent out over 400,000 letters, flyers and brochures to advertise the launch of the group.[8] The UDF's symbols — logo and slogan — were also selected at the meeting. Both the logo and slogan portray the widespread support the UDF hoped to achieve by incorporating a wide range of South Africans of all races. Some member organisations adapted the "UDF Unites, Apartheid Divides" slogan; for example, the Soweto Civic Association used "Soweto Civic Association Unites — Piet Koornhof Divides".

On 20 August 1983 the UDF was launched in the Rocklands community hall, Mitchell's Plain, near Cape Town. After a conference of delegates from 575 organisations, a public rally was held, attended by about 10,000 people.[8]Frank Chikane, the first major speaker, called the day "a turning point in the struggle for freedom."

The UDF and its affiliates promoted rent boycotts, school protests, worker stay-away and a boycott of the tricameral system. These activities took place in earnest after September 1984.[3]

In 1989, UDF sent delegates to the United States and the United Kingdom to discuss what foreign countries could do to help end apartheid.[11] Women in the delegation "were the ones that dictated the conversation," with Albertina Sisulu conveying a strong message of nonviolence and compassion.[11]

In 1986, President Pieter Botha prohibited the UDF from receiving foreign funds.[5] The UDF was under a government ban as of February 1987 restricting its actions.[12] In May 1987, a Natal provincial Supreme Court justice, John Didcott, ruled that the ban on the UDF's ability to receive foreign funding should be lifted.[13] Foreign contributions made up more than half of the group's budget.[13]

On February 19, 1985, several UDF members, including Albertina Sisulu, Frank Chikane and Cassim Saloojee were arrested on high treason warrants.[15] The UDF was accused of being a "shadow organization for the African National Congress."[15] In November 1988, eight of those accused of treason were acquitted of all charges, while four activists were found guilty of terrorism.[16] The judge also ruled that the UDF was a "'revolutionary organization.' that incited violence in black townships in 1984 in a bid to render South Africa ungovernable."[16] The convictions were overturned by the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein in 1989, releasing five activists, including Popo Molefe.[12]

When the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and other organizations were unbanned in February 1990, the UDF faced a change and "it became clear that the need for the UDF no longer existed."[17] In March 1991, the decision to disband was made and the UDF held its last meeting on August 14, 1991 in Johannesburg.[17]

The UDF was an umbrella organisation that had a "federal structure" and a decentralized method of employing tactics.[1] By 1986, there were 700 different organizations working under the umbrella which were often youth movements, community organizations, unions, professional societies and churches.[1] Eventually there would be nearly "1,000 affiliated groups."[18] UDF embraced a philosophy of "African nationalism, socialism and Christianity."[19] The common goal of ending apartheid and systematic racism allowed different types of groups to work together.[1] Any type of organization, regardless of race, sex or religion was welcome as long as they promoted an end to apartheid.[11] UDF helped many of the smaller organizations have access to a source of funding.[20]

The leadership structure included a National Executive Committee (NEC) at the top level which had three presidents, secretaries, a treasurer and representatives of the various regions.[18] Despite the NEC leadership, much of the "momentum for action came from the bottom levels of the organisation and from its youngest members."[3] Because members of UDF faced frequent arrests due to their activities, the leaders were "cautious and secretive."[21]

In 1988, women were heavily involved in the mine worker's strike.[11] Mostly working-class women protested the mining management's support of the government and at the rally, presented a petition.[11] Some women attended "carrying babies on their backs."[11]

Critics of the UDF Women's Congress believed that focusing on women's issues "had the potential to weaken the overall liberation struggle."[26] Others disagreed, stating that "our struggle from freedom can only be won if men and women fight side by side."[26]

Early in its life, the UDF adopted the Freedom Charter, a statement of the aims for a free South Africa and basis for a democratic constitution. At first, the African National Congress (ANC) did not welcome UDF's involvement.[18]

Throughout its existence, the UDF demanded the release of imprisoned ANC leaders, as well as other political prisoners. In 1985, the UDF announced at a rally of 2,500 people, their campaign to see the release of Nelson Mandela.[27]

However, the UDF was never formally attached to the ANC, and did not participate in the armed struggle. The UDF did not want to be associated with violent tactics or acts of sabotage against the government.[5] In addition, the ANC over time, "showed an increasing intolerance for the values upheld by the UDF."[28]

The Black Consciousness Movement disagreed with the UDF on the issue of whether whites should be welcomed into the struggle against apartheid.[29] The Black Consciousness movement was based on the principle that the liberation struggle should be led by black people, whereas the UDF welcomed anyone who shared their goals and was willing to commit to them in struggle.[27]

The Progressive Federal Party had vigorously opposed the introduction of the tricameral system (in the referendum) but once introduced continued as the official opposition in the "White" Assembly ." Let us voice strong opposition and offer vigorous resistance both within and without the system that excludes Blacks and continues to imprison Nelson Mandela" argued Helen Suzman .speaking at the Cape Town Conference of the PFP National Youth in 1984 . At the same conference a resolution was passed endorsing and supporting the recent establishment of the United Democratic Front and offer ' back office assistance". This support sponsored by Gordon Waddell and Harry Oppenheimer through the Western Province Regional PFP Youth Committee led by Stephen Drus ( Stephen Darori) included frequently picking up the tabs for busing , other transport , publicity, loud speaker systems and legal expenses when pro bono wasn't an option.This uneasy relationship with the PFP continued until Drus's banning order in late 1986 following multiple periods of detention without trial and his departure for Israel.Stephen Drus is the nephew of Ethel Drus one of the key members of the committee who drafted the Freedom Charter and the grandson of Sarah Kaplan Drus, the founder of the Socialist Poalei Zion Movement in Cape Town in 1921 and a founding member of the South African Communist Party . Following the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in August 1939 Poalei Zion split from the South African Communist Party and became the Bnoth Zion which is today the largest Jewish Woman's Organisation in South Africa. The primary activity of this organisation remains running completely free creches and nursery schools for Blacks and Coloureds in and around Cape Town, Soweto and Alexandra some of which are at the same location as those started by Poalei Zion in the 1920's..

In 1989, the UDF and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) began cooperating more closely in a loose alliance called the Mass Democratic Movement, following restrictions on the UDF and COSATU by the apartheid government. The apartheid government described the MDM as a UDF/Cosatu/SACP alliance, although this was disputed by the MDM at the time.[30][31][32] The loose nature of the MDM made it difficult for the apartheid government to ban.[33]